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DCPutnam Consulting Doreen has worked 30+ years in the dementia field & has national & international certification. We were pioneers in this field of work!! Doreen C.

In the late 1980’s I was offered a position with an Alzheimer’s Association in Central New York. I was responsible for developing and implementing educational programs for family members, health care professionals and the broader community. As our program developed we began offering 3-hour training programs for family members/caregivers and we went into nursing homes and hospitals to train their staff and doctors. You must remember that this was back in the late 1980’s so there was not a lot of information available on the topics of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Truthfully people were referring to Alzheimer’s at the “A” word and couldn’t bring themselves to even say the word. My experience with the association broadened my knowledge and understanding exponentially. I knew at the end of each day I had truly assisted people in understanding Alzheimer’s disease; the difference between it and dementia; the importance of care and understanding the patient. A number of years ago I was the director of an adult day care program for Alzheimer’s and dementia residents in Detroit, MI. Our program provided a safe haven for patients whose families were caught in the “sandwich generation”…that is, taking care of parents and children at the same time. This was and is a very difficult time for families who are caught between issues of time management, legal & financial responsibilities, employment and perhaps retirement. Most recently, I was working for an assisted living company that provides residential care for men and women with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. As the Senior Director of the program, I worked closely with residents, their family members and the staff that cared for the residents. It was an awesome job that I loved. It was amazing to be able to interact with the residents on a daily basis. I found it fascinating to have conversations that would lead us in all sorts of directions, to see residents having so much fun participating in the activities of the day and enjoying lunch at local restaurants. I loved jumping into their reality so they felt loved, protected and validated. As a professional in the field, there are many things we take for granted in our daily routines that are completely foreign to a new caregiver. I want you to know that you are not alone and there are people who can help you through this unfortunate, frustrating and confusing situation. I hope I will hear from many of you who have questions specific to your situation. Please don’t hesitate to ask what might seem like a “stupid” or “frivolous” question. You learn by asking questions...the important thing is how you put new information into play in your daily lives to benefit your loved one and bring understanding to your own lives. I am committed to assisting caregivers – family members and professionals – in understanding what is happening during the disease process so we can all better understand how to communicate and care for individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Putnam
DCPutnam Consulting

11/09/2025
This past year I was honored to train 60 professionals who took their first step in becoming a Certified Dementia Practi...
14/08/2025

This past year I was honored to train 60 professionals who took their first step in becoming a Certified Dementia Practitioner. These individuals represented the health care industry as well as lawyers, insurance reps. and other caring community leaders. All who were prepared to assist their families and train their coworkers. Just imagine how many more family caregivers will be helped over the next few years throuh their knowledge and dedication.

2020 Repost

Another professional milestone today. I completed another advanced level of certification with NCCDP (National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners). I now have my third cerification with this organization which has continued to provide me with national and international certification.

My new certifiction is CADDCT - Certified Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care Trainer. This allows me to train nationally to prepare healthcare workers who qualify, the opportunity to take their initial step toward their first level of certification .. CDP - Certified Dementia Practitioner. I became a CDP 2015.

This is an important professional achievement for me. Advancing my professional education allows me to continue to provide quality education and strong support to family caregivers, professional caregivers in the healthcare field and any individual interested in learning about Alzheimer's disease or one of the related dementias.

Our goal is always to:
*** Educate caregivers
*** Find a cure
*** Develop treatments to eliminate all forms of dementia.

Kindness costs nothing but means so much to the recipient. And when it happens with perfect strangers, it is so touching...
20/06/2025

Kindness costs nothing but means so much to the recipient. And when it happens with perfect strangers, it is so touching.

* A gentleman was walking into the grocery store but saw me struggling & offered to load my groceries into the car.

* Another gentleman who walked by me as I exited the grocery store & said have a good day. I replied "I'm trying." He was 20' past me turned around & said let me load your groceries into your car.

* And then there's Tim. I met him 2 years ago as I stood in the parking lot crying. It was my first trip to the grocery store after my surgery and I had no energy left in me...never should have tried to shop that day. He was a sophomore in high school that year. Seeing my head covering ..or my beanie...he realized I was a cancer patient & told me his grandmother had cancer also. Finally he said " Are you a person of faith?" When I responded that I was he asked if he could pray for me. What a beautiful experience. Two total strangers standing in the middle of Shop & Save's parking lot holding hands and praying. I've seen him only twice since then & he reminded each time that he prays for me every day.

For those of us who struggle with cancer, other medical issues or disabilities, those kind moments mean so much. It only takes a kind word or action to let a stranger or friend know that as humans we can care for each other in small ways.

Take that moment or two to brighten someone else's day. You may never know how your kindness can touch their hearts.

31/05/2025

May 25, 1986 — One of the most heartwarming and ambitious events in American history unfolded: Hands Across America. Millions of people from coast to coast joined hands in a massive human chain stretching over 6,600 miles from New York City to Long Beach, California. The goal? To raise awareness and funds to fight hunger and homelessness across the country. It wasn’t just a charity event — it was a powerful visual reminder that when people come together, they can truly create a wave of hope.

The event was a dazzling mix of celebrities, families, students, and everyday folks all united by a shared purpose. Stars like Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, and Diane Sawyer helped draw attention, but it was the ordinary hands — the neighbors, children, and strangers — that made the moment truly magical. For fifteen minutes, Americans literally reached out to one another, proving that community spirit could stretch across cities, states, and time zones.

Hands Across America wasn’t just about the spectacle; it raised millions for food banks and housing programs and inspired a sense of collective responsibility that still resonates today. In a world that often feels divided, looking back at that day reminds us how powerful connection really is — and how much good can happen when we all join hands. It’s an act worth repeating.

"Doreen... I simply can't thank you enough for your wonderful presence at the event! I received amazing feedback mostly ...
31/05/2025

"Doreen... I simply can't thank you enough for your wonderful presence at the event! I received amazing feedback mostly related to how wonderful and knowledgeable you are. I'm very grateful for your advocacy and partnership."

Natalie Boyanovsy
Alzheimer's Association of Greater PGH

*****

The Association showed a PBS movie last week - "Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer's:" It’s the story of 3 families and how they are and are not coping with their loved one with Alzheimer's. A very touching and heart wrenching movie to watch.

I presented information related to grief and caregiver stress prior to the movie. I also facilitated the conversation following the movie.

I would encourage you to watch it. PBS has done similar films about Parkinsons and ALS.

Great project, yet so.simple. **********Do you have an old button down shirt that you no longer wear?We are teaming up w...
27/05/2025

Great project, yet so.simple.
**********

Do you have an old button down shirt that you no longer wear?
We are teaming up with the very talented fashion students at Doncaster College who are making dignity bibs for local elderly and dependant adults to wear.
A normal bib can be degrading for an adult to wear however a dignity bib helps to preserve the dignity of the wearer by being more discreet, as it looks like they are wearing a shirt rather than a bib.
You can get involved by dropping off any clean unwanted button down men's or ladies shirts, size medium and up into our donation bin situated within Flourish Café.

Thank you to all who have served and to those who continue to serve.
26/05/2025

Thank you to all who have served and to those who continue to serve.

23/05/2025

I’m thrilled to share something special: next Spring, I’ll be co-hosting an all-inclusive literary tour through Boston and Cape Cod in partnership with the brilliant author Lisa Genova (STILL ALICE, MORE OR LESS MADDY) and John Shors Travel.

From Beacon Hill to the Cape, we’ll explore the real-life settings that inspired our novels - and share the stories behind the stories with you. Expect meaningful conversation, coastal charm, and plenty of time to connect over the books we love.

Luxury accommodations include the award-winning Chatham Bars Inn and Boston’s Godfrey Hotel. Perfect for readers, writers, and lovers of literary travel.

There's plenty of time to prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime literary journey, but space is limited! See the full itinerary and pricing here:
https://johnshorstravel.com/trip/6yw9rqq5dggwqz2ak6nvduw6yxfzj5q

All questions and interest forms go directly to our coordinator Dilya at dilya@johnshorstravel.com.

Hope to see you there!

23/05/2025

Before Big Bang Theory, Jim Parsons was a relatively unknown star. He has done a few side roles in movies but couldn't make a name for myself. But still, he got an invitation to attend Oscars events/parties. Jim's mother thought that this would be an amazing opportunity for him to meet some big movie names, but Jim refused to go.
He called his mom and told her that he has recently gotten this script of a show titled Lenny, Penny and Kenny (now known as Big Bang Theory), and he wants to land the role of Sheldon Cooper, and if he goes to the Oscars he wouldn't be able to practice.
Jim practiced for multiple nights, nailed the audition, got the character of Sheldon Cooper and went on to win 4 Primetime Emmys for the same!!🥰

23/05/2025

Much like the way a radiological scan can reveal how cancer spreads throughout the body, we need an imaging test that allows us to see how Parkinson’s happens inside the brain.

Tracers are substances used in PET scans to detect disease, like those that make cancer cells “light up.” We still need tracers that can detect Parkinson’s-specific markers, such the accumulation of alpha-synuclein, a protein that clumps in the brains of people with PD.

What could a tracer for Parkinson’s mean for the future of research and treatment? It would help with early diagnosis and accelerate clinical trials, allowing us to track disease progression and see if treatments are working.

Read about recent advancements in imaging technology: https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/tracers-development-newly-installed-pet-camera-signal-advancement-parkinsons-imaging?os_cid=fb-a1bVL000004MPzx

23/05/2025

Alzheimer's disease affects an estimated 7.2 million people in the United States age 65 and over.

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